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Celebrate Democracy
With National Voter Registration Day coming up in a couple of weeks — and national elections in just a couple of months — Food Co-ops across the Northeast are working together to enliven our democracy.
Food Co-ops are more than just a place to find healthy, local food. They are also community hubs, bringing people together to accomplish greater things than they can alone. As enterprises that are democratically governed by their members — the people who shop and work there — co-ops are uniquely positioned to support participation in our democracy. And with important national, state and local elections coming up in November, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is proud to partner with National Voter Registration Day again this year, encouraging co-ops across the Northeast to join national celebrations on September 17.
As campaigns heat up, elections this Fall will determine the outcome of questions big and small: from the role of our federal government in issues of social justice, food systems, and climate change to local issues like buying a new ladder truck for the local fire department. Unfortunately, every year millions of eligible voters are unable to cast a ballot because of frustrating stumbling blocks like missed deadlines, outdated information, changing laws, or other easily fixable paperwork problems. As National Voter Registration Day Partners, food co-ops can make sure that voters and soon-to-be voters know that election 2024 is far bigger than the two names at the top of the ballot and help them participate.
From Urban Greens Co-op Market in Rhode Island to Flatbush Food Co-op in Brooklyn, NY, and Franklin Community Co-op in Massachusetts to Hanover Co-op Food Stores in New Hampshire and Vermont, co-ops across the Northeast are spreading the word in social media and organizing locally, providing information tables for voter registration and election information.
“Co-operatives have a long, non-partisan, tradition of empowering our communities,” said Becca White, Public & Government Affairs Associate at Hanover Co-op Food Stores. “Our co-ops don’t work without our members’ voices, and neither does our greater democracy. We’re excited to provide information and improve access to the vote, the most vital form of citizen participation in our nation.”
Co-ops are participating in National Voter Registration Day by:
- Signing up as a National Voter Registration Day Community Partner.
- Promoting #NationalVoterRegistrationDay in social media, encouraging people to get out and vote in November.
- Including a story in their e-news, reminding people to check their registration status.
- Organizing a voter registration table outside .
- Inviting local policymakers to speak at your co-op’s annual meeting or other event.
Strengthening our civic democracy is particularly relevant we look toward the International Year of Co-ops in 2025 and efforts by the global co-operative movement to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. A plan of action for “people, planet and prosperity,” the agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which promotes “peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” Working together, co-ops can enliven democracy and help build more healthy, just, and sustainable food system and an economy that works for everyone.
Share this story in social media or in your e-news and add information about what your co-op has planned for Voter Registration Day. For more information and resources, visit https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org.
Get Ready for Co-op Month!
October is National Co-op Month, and your Neighboring Food Co-ops are joining other co-operatives and credit unions across the United States to celebrate!
From in-store events, special sales and membership drives to community activities and more, our Neighboring Food Co-ops are preparing activities to spread the word about the Co-operative Difference across our region.
October is National Co-op Month and this October, your Neighboring Food Co-ops will be joining the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) and over 65,000 co-operatives and credit unions across the United States in celebrating Co-op Month, observed nationally since 1964.
Food Co-ops have been pioneers in food security and innovators in healthy, organic and natural foods, fairly traded products, bulk buying, consumer education, and supporting local producers. Today’s Co-ops face increased competition from retailers offering many of the same products that we helped establish. But we also have a unique advantage: Our Co-operative Identity. Co-op Month is an opportunity for Food Co-ops to promote themselves as great local grocery stores as well as excellent co-operatives — businesses that enable people to work together to meet community needs and goals rather than maximizing profit.
Here are some ways your food co-op can celebrate Co-op Month, promote the difference that your co-op makes in your community every day, and look toward the Second International Year of Co-ops in 2025!
- Hold a membership drive in October. This year thanks to our collaboration with Cabot Creamery Co-op, participating NFCA co-ops can hold a member drive, and everyone can be entered to win a weekend “Staycation” prize at a Cabot Member Farm.
- Highlight co-op producers on your store shelves, on websites and in their newsletters. They’ll also have co-op producer tastings utilizing NFCA’s list of co-op producers and you can look for the GO Co-op shelf tags.
- Raise awareness in print and other media with press releases to local media, participating in print, on-line and radio ads. Some examples include working with credit unions and other co-ops like these group ads organized by the Valley Co-operative Business Association (MA) covering Western MA and Southern VT and group radio ads and panel discussion like WHMP’s annual radio show focusing on co-operatives.Listen here to the 2023 recording and 2022’s here.
- Provide educational resources about co-ops and how we contribute to building a more inclusive economy, such as the NFCA’s Co-op Education Webinar Series available here.
“The NFCA provides a wealth of information on co-op history and the co-operative movement on their webpage,” noted Logan Reising-Owen, UMass Amherst Intern (Summer 2024). “This [webinar series] is a prime example of fulfilling the educational principle of the co-operative movement.”
Across the Northeast, people have used food co-ops to improve access to healthy, local, affordable food, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. For example, a survey by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) found that grocery co-ops across New England and New York play a key role on supporting our regional economy, selling more than $121 million in local products annually — or an amazing 27% of total sales. Taken together, these co-ops are locally owned by 185,000 members and provide employment for over 2,545 people, more than 60% of whom are also members, sharing in the ownership of their local grocery store.
Of course, any time is a great time to stop in at your local food co-op and learn more about the difference that people are making in their communities through co-operation! Learn more about Co-op Month at https://nfca.coop/Co-opMonth.
Share this story in social media or in your food co-op’s e-news! And for more information and resources as they become available, visit https://nfca.coop/Co-opMonth.
Partner Profile: Cabot Creamery Co-operative
Special New Member Promotion during October–National Co-op Month. Thanks to our friends at Cabot Creamery Co-op, you could win a Two-Night Farm Stay for two
New members of our Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) co-ops during October will be automatically entered to win one of 3 Two-Night Stays. (No purchase is necessary, and you can find more information at this link.)Current members and others may enter to win here.
As one of our region’s best known and most-awarded co-operative brands, Cabot has been honored for Best Cheddar at the U.S. and World Championship Cheese Contests, the American Cheese Society competition and the World Dairy Expo. This year Cabot’s Salted Butter, Extra Sharp Cheddar, White Oak Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses received 1st place awards from the 2024 American Cheese Society along with White Oak Cheddar garnered a Gold Medal from the International Cheese and Dairy Awards.
In 1919, 94 farmers in Vermont joined together to form the co-operative and produced the Rosedale Brand of butter. In the 1930s cheddar and cottage cheese were added and in the 1960s with a growing membership of dairy farmers the Cabot Brand was established. Today, Cabot farms are located in all of the New England and New York states and this regional co-operative offers a full line of dairy products including cheese, butter, sour cream, cottage cheese and yogurt.
Underlying Cabot’s business success is its commitment to working with different co-op sectors such as food co-ops, credit unions and energy co-ops to spread the word about the co-operative difference. Community, democracy and local ownership are integral to our business model — service to, and for, the communities in which members live, work and shop. In this spirit, Cabot has partnered with the NFCA to grow the wider co-operative movement with this special Co-op Month celebration. Cabot Creamery Co-operative is proud to be owned by the farmer members who provide the fresh milk for its award-winning cheeses and dairy products.
To learn more visit https://cabotcheese.coop.
Co-ops in the News
Protein bundles’ help meet nutritional needs for North Quabbin residents
Greenfield Recorder
Has your co-op been in the news recently? Send your item to info@nfca.coop.
September Cave-to-Co-op Special
This month’s special cheese is Vault No5 from The Cellars at Jasper Hill, Greensboro, VT
Each month our Cave to Co-op partnership between Provisions International and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) offers a delicious regional cheese featured at a great price.
The Kehlers began farming and making cheese with a goal of creating a model to be replicated by other farmers in Vermont who wished to diversify their quickly disappearing farms into more workable options. They wanted to demonstrate that it is still possible to prosper on a rocky hillside farm, creating a vehicle for the renewal of the local dairy economy in the form of a business model that can be replicated by other dairy farms. Andy and Mateo have a small herd of registered Ayrshire cows. Ayrshires are a high component breed; their milk is rich in protein and fat. It is the qualities of these components that sets the breed apart. They produce small fat globules, which break down easily during the ripening process yielding clean consistent flavors. Ayrshires are also the most efficient feed converters of any dairy breed; they are great grazers. They are also quite spoiled. Jasper Hill’s cows go out on a fresh piece of pasture after every milking during the spring, summer, fall and are fed a ration of dry hay through the winter when they stay in, avoiding harsh winter wind and snow while listening to a great selection of jazz and classical music.
Jasper Hill works with Cabot Co-op graders to hand select vats of young cheese that are suited to graceful cave-ripening. Upon arrival to a temperature and humidity-controlled cave within the Cellars, blocks are coated with lard, brushed, and turned in order to cultivate a living natural rind. These traditional methods impart unique complexity to the developing cheese.
Vault 5 is distinct from the other cave aged cheddars for the inclusion of Alpine-style cultures in the cheese make. This unique set of microflora help to develop sweet, nutty flavors as well as a more pliant, meltable texture.
Batches are released when the perfect balance of texture and flavor are achieved; bright and deeply brothy with a salt-caramel finish and supple texture. The sweet-savory balance of the cheese makes it an excellent match with smoky cured meats, apple preserves, or rich chestnut honey. Pair with a dry sparkling cider or a dark lager. It’s meltability makes Vault No. 5 a perfect contender for sandwiches like a French Dip.
Chipotle Cheddar Crackers
- 1⁄4 lb. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1⁄2 lb.
- ½ lb. Vault No 5 cheddar, grated
- 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 tsp. ground chipotle powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, place butter, Vault No 5, all-purpose flour, ground chipotle powder, and kosher salt. Add 11⁄2 Tbsp. water and mix on low speed to combine the ingredients. Turn the mixer to medium and beat for 30 seconds, until the ingredients come together in big clumps.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured cutting board and roll it into a log 12″ long by 11⁄2″ wide. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (You can refrigerate the dough for several days or freeze it for up to 4 months.)
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°.
- Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Slice the dough 1⁄2″ thick and place the rounds 1″ apart on the parchment paper. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt and bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on the sheet pans or a baking rack and serve at room temperature.
Look for the “Cave to Co-op” sign in the cheese section at your local food co-op. To find one near you, visit www.nfca.coop/members.
New England Farmers Union: Fairness for Farmers
The proposed merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is another example of corporate consolidation in America’s food chain that is hurting family farmers, consumers, and workers. You can help level the playing field.
Kroger and Albertsons announced last October that they had reached a deal to merge, with Kroger acquiring all outstanding shares of Albertsons. The total value of the combined business is estimated at approximately $25 billion, representing another disturbing example of the corporate consolidation in America’s food system that is hurting farmers, consumers, and workers. More recently, Kroger filed suit against the Federal Trade Commission in a move that intends to weaken the ability of the agency to challenge mergers and their impacts on producers and consumers.
“Here in the Northeast, people sometimes don’t think that these mergers impact us that much,” said Roger Noonan, New England Farmers Union President and New Hampshire Organic Farmer. “But we need to be clear that unless we take action, corporate consolidation among retailers and processors will continue to hurt family farmers, local businesses, and food co-ops.”
Some good news came in July when the Senate Appropriations Committee, under the leadership of Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, passed its Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bill, which included robust funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and restored a critical component of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (MFFMA) that had been rescinded in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.
“We commend Chair Jeanne Shaheen and Ranking Member Jerry Moran for moving forward legislation that fully reinstates the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act and provides strong funding for the DOJ Antitrust Division,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “Corporate monopolies have been squeezing family farmers, ranchers, and our communities for decades, and we need a strong DOJ Antitrust Division that can fully enforce our nation’s competition laws.”
Under the Biden-Harris Administration and the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, the DOJ Antitrust Division is taking aggressive action to promote fair and competitive markets across many sectors of the American economy. At the same time, funding and staffing for federal antitrust agencies has failed to keep pace with overwhelming corporate consolidation in our economy. The partisan House CJS Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 actually cuts funding for the DOJ Antitrust Division and fails to restore the MFFMA. The bipartisan Senate bill, in contrast, did the opposite, strengthening funding for the division and restoring MFFMA to its originally intended purpose. “I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership on this issue,” said Noonan. “I also want to encourage farmers and consumer across the Northeast to get involved in the collaborative advocacy efforts of the Farmers Union and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association. With almost 200,000 combined members across the Northeast, and fourteen senators, we can have an outsized influence on food system policy.”
How You Can Help:
- Thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership on corporate consolidation by sending her a quick e-mail at her website.
- Tell the USDA to Support Fairness for Farmers: Sign this petition!
- Learn more at www.fairnessforfarmers.org.
You can make a difference: Join the Farmers Union! The Neighboring Food Co-op Association is an affiliate member of the New England Farmers Union – and invites farmers, food co-ops, and consumers to join us! NFCA Member Co-ops and individual members can join at a special discount. The National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice. For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.
Join us for this pre-2024 Co-op IMPACT Conference short course to be held on October 1, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at NCB in Arlington, VA. For more information and to register, visit the International Centre for Co-operative Management website.
